Cameroon won Olympic gold in 2000 but could struggle to qualify for 2004

The race to see which African sides will have the chance to follow Cameroon as Olympic football champions is hotting up.

Of the eight Olympics qualifiers this weekend, the biggest is probably between Nigeria and Senegal in Kano.

The Senegalese shocked the Flying Eagles in Dakar in January, and now top group A.

Nigeria know that if they don't win on Saturday their hopes of repeating their gold medal feat of 1996 will all but be at an end.

For Nigeria it will be the first game in charge for new coach Kadiri Ikhana.

In the other group game, in Tunis on Sunday, Tunisia hope to keep in the race, while visitors Egypt have yet to pick up a point.

Group B looks like a contest between Cameroon and Mali, and both are at home.

The reigning Olympic Champions Cameroon face the Ivory Coast, while Mali play DR Congo.

Both those games are on Sunday.

Ryan Botha was booed off the pitch after missing a penalty against Zambia

Group C looks like a three horse race.

Ethiopia are the surprising front runners, but they will face a stiff test away to Angola on Sunday.

Morocco, meanwhile, will fancy their chances against Uganda in Casablanca on Saturday.

Group D is delicately balanced.

Pre-competition favourites South Africa have disappointed so far, and lost to Zambia in January.

Collins Mbesuma scored the Zambian winner and made such an impression that he was snapped up by South African side Kaizer Chiefs.

Now South Africa get their chance for revenge: they play in Zambia on Saturday.

South Africa have called up Belgium-based striker Giovanni Rector and little midfield dynamo Benedict Vilakazi is back after suspension.

"It is a chance for both South Africa and Zambia," Zambia's technical director Kalusha Bwalya told the BBC.

"The loser will automatically run itself out of the race.

"That is basically the importance of the game.

"But I am confident that Zambia can carry the day, as we are playing at home."

In the other group clash, Ghana are at home to leaders Algeria.